Antitumor histone deacetylase inhibitors suppress cutaneous radiation syndrome: Implications for increasing therapeutic gain in cancer radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy is an effective treatment for head and neck, skin, anogenital, and breast cancers. However, radiation-induced skin morbidity limits the therapeutic benefits. A low-toxicity approach to selectively reduce skin morbidity without compromising tumor killing by radiotherapy is needed.

A therapeutic strategy uses histone deacetylase inhibitors to modulate the expression of genes involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by progressive destruction of the affected joints. The pathophysiology results from genetic susceptibility and autoimmune phenomena, leading to tissue inflammation and synovial hyperplasia termed pannus, which irreversibly destroys cartilage and bone. The current treatment options, which suppress immune responses or ameliorate inflammation, do not halt the destructive process.